Offaly wind farm opens €150,000 Community Benefit Fund for applications

Bord na Móna is pleased to announce the opening of a new Community Benefit Fund for communities near to Cloncreen Wind Farm in eastern Co. Offaly. The fund will distribute €150,000 to community and voluntary groups, non-profit groups, clubs and societies, or organisations with a charitable status which aim to deliver community good and services within 10km of the Wind Farm.

The fund has been established to recognise the key role of local communities in developing new sources of renewable energy. It will cumulatively distribute €2.25 million to the area over the next 15 years as part of a broader package of local development supports being delivered in the area by Bord na Móna. The fund will be administered by M-CO, an independent strategic design and project management company who specialise in the areas of climate action and community development.

The development of Cloncreen Wind Farm, located on Cloncreen bog in eastern Co. Offaly, involves an investment by Bord na Móna of over €100m in low carbon electricity generation infrastructure in Co. Offaly. It will make a significant contribution to the achievement of Ireland’s 80% renewable electricity target by 2030.

Making the announcement on behalf of Bord na Móna’s Cloncreen Wind Farm today, Development Manager Brendan Connolly said: "Bord na Móna are delighted to announce the launch of the Cloncreen Community Benefit Fund, and are really looking forward to working with the local communities on the delivery of projects which will benefit the people living near to the wind farm. We have committed funding for 15 years which will support projects that could be transformative for the area.  Bord na Móna are committed to ensuring that local community’s benefit from the development of renewable energy infrastructure projects in their area, which are needed to support the transition to a carbon neutral society. Our team will continue to work closely with the local community in the rollout of the Fund and are eager to hear from anyone with project ideas.”

Marion Weymes, Community Benefit Fund Administrator on behalf of M-CO stated “We encourage all interested organisations in the area to think about the projects they can deliver that will have a positive and lasting effect in the area and to apply for funding. We are keen to support a real range of organisations, such as sports clubs, development associations, first responder schemes, community facilities, scout groups, community support services and outreach programmes and more.

We want to make this process as easy as possible for community groups and organisations and we will be available to offer assistance with projects and applications.”

The closing date for applications is Wednesday April 5th, 2023. Applicants can learn more about the Fund and how to apply by registering and attending one of our information sessions:

8th of March in Clonbullogue Hall, 7-8.30pm – register your attendance here
15th of March in Edenderry GAA Centre – 7-8.30 pm – register your attendance here
For further information on the Community Benefit Fund and how to apply, please visit: https://cloncreenwindfarm.submit.com/

Should you have any queries on the Community Benefit Fund please contact M-CO on 01 887 0630 or communitybenefitfund@mco.ie.